Help the Association of Astrophysics of Asea to build a observatory in Asea, Arcadia, Greece via Jump Start!
Ideally located in the center of the Peloponnese on an altitude of 900m, with ideal Dark-Sky conditions, Asea, an Arcadian village is an ideal destination for astronomical observations and star gazing. In 2013, a group of Engineers and Scientists from Asea, got together and we formed a nonprofit organization named, the “Association of Astrophysics of Asea”.
Since then, the association has organized many seminars, lectures and astronomy nights with large telescopes, providing the children living in the region as well as the local population, a chance to learn and experience the wonders of the night sky and educate them in Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Since then, the association has organized many seminars, lectures and astronomy nights with large telescopes, providing the children living in the region as well as the local population, a chance to learn and experience the wonders of the night sky and educate them in Astronomy and Astrophysics.
To further develop our educating capabilities and also to help develop and support astro-tourism in our region, we have created an innovative design of a 3 meter dome and we are planning to construct this 3 meter dome observatory in a very beautiful hill next to to Asea's elementary school.
Our Association’s civil and electrical engineering members have completed the architectural, electrical and electronic designed for the observatory and will fully supervise its construction.
In addition, the city council of Tripolis (Arcadia) has unanimously granted our Association the right of use of the land site selected for the construction of the observatory at the top of the hill, next to the school of Asea.
In addition, the city council of Tripolis (Arcadia) has unanimously granted our Association the right of use of the land site selected for the construction of the observatory at the top of the hill, next to the school of Asea.
All these contributions have reduced the total cost of construction to 1/3 of the price it would have otherwise costed. In other words, the funding we are seeking for the construction of the observatory will cover only, the cost of the materials, the cost of the specialized workers needed in the construction process and the purchase of the telescope and necessary computer system.
Our observatory will be mounted with a 12' Schmidt Cassegrain telescope capable of connecting to a computer and a camera. The telescope will be strong enough to allow us to obtain great views of planets, nebulas, globular and open star clusters, galaxies and very deep sky objects, while at the same time it will display on the computer screen the images for the purpose of making it easier for students and astro-enthusiasts to "get right to it" and have fun so that they can become enthusiastic about Science and the diversity of the world around us. Astro-tourists, will be able to make a brief video of what they observed as well as take pictures of astronomical sites that are of particular interest to them.
Strategically located between Tripoli and Kalamata, the observatory of Asea will be the only regional observatory open to the public in the Peloponnese. Additionally, because Asea is also a place full with archeological treasures, ancient temples and beautiful chestnut and oak forests, we expect that the observatory will not only act as a beacon attracting astro-tourists from all over Europe seeking to admire its breathtaking night sky, but will also generate interest among scholars that prefer remote, quiet and relaxing places to hold their specialized conferences.
All the above lead us to the conclusion that this project fulfills all the necessary requirements that will make it a success and a point of attraction in the region.
All the above lead us to the conclusion that this project fulfills all the necessary requirements that will make it a success and a point of attraction in the region.
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